Craftsman built-ins #11: Hall Bench and completion!

I completed my final built-in Craftsman style project…a tall hall bench. I found plans in an old Woodsmith magazine and modified it to suit my overall idea. The plan itself was easy enough to follow, but since I was building it in, I avoiding the fussy mechanism for attaching the top. I was also able to use pine and 3/4” plywood as I was painting. The hall bench turned out nice and helps define the entry way by our front door. It also provides quite a lot of storage.

The final step was to put a finish oil base paint on everything. I have been procrastinating because I’m not a great painter. Finally, I got some help from a friend of mine who had a sprayer and knew what he was doing. We spent a day prepping…caulking, masking, etc. The final product turned out great. I’m going to let the paint harden for a few days and then put everything back on the shelves. Overall the set of projects took me about 9 months to complete and cost under $1K. My wife is pleased…and therefore, so am I! Now she wants some built-ins made for the master bath. Oh well…back the the shop…

-- Jeff, "The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."

I primed with two coats of ZinsserBin. It’s got a shellac base that seals the knots and stops any movement due to moisture change (which is problematic with pine). It’s expensive, but worth it. I found it also helps to harden the surface of the pine and definitely provides a good foundation for final paint.

-- Jeff, "The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."